PARRIS ISLAND, S.C -- The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is a program that gives money to Marines, Navy corpsmen and their families for continued education.
More than 21,000 scholarships and bonds totaling more than $34 million have been awarded, according to the MCSF mission statement. In 2007 alone, the organization provided more than 1,040 scholarships to Marines and their families.
According to David Uy, the foundation’s affairs representative, the foundation provides assistance to the children of Marines or Navy corpsmen serving with Marines, with special consideration given to children whose parent was killed or wounded in action.
Recently, the foundation began the “American Patriots Campaign.” Their goal is to raise $50 million over four years in hopes of doubling the average scholarship award to $3,000 a year.
The new campaign will also assist in the endowment of a $20,000 scholarship, which will be given to every child of a Marine or Navy corpsman who died in support of efforts in the Global War on Terrorism.
“These scholarship programs provide life-changing opportunities for students that need financial assistance toward a college degree, and they increase their chances for success in their personal and professional lives,” said Chris Randolph, the foundation’s president. “That’s critical for our Marine families.”
The Marine Corps Scholarships Foundation is another quality program that provides assistance for eligible students to receive financial aid when pursuing higher education said Becky Papciak, a former Marine captain and education service specialist here.
With a slogan of “Honors Marines by Educating Their Children,” the foundation intends to do just that.
“This is a wonderful way of rewarding the military members and their families for all the sacrifices made,” said Rebecca Salazar, an education service specialist. “Through outstanding programs like these, our children are better assisted in making a more productive, successful future.”
To be eligible to apply, applicants must be the child of a current U.S. Marine, Navy corpsman who served with Marines, or the child of a former Marine discharged under an honorable or medical circumstance, either living or deceased.
Applicants must also be high school graduates or registered as an undergraduate student at an accredited educational institution.
Students are required to have at least a 2.0 grade point average to apply. Scholarships are not offered for graduate study.